Karnataka is the sixth largest state of India and is famous all over the world for its distinctive form of Carnatic Classical Music. It is an idyllic tourist destination because of its scenic hill ranges, cascading waterfalls, exotic wildlife and unexplored forests. Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka is the nucleus of all IT activities in India. The districts of Karnataka have an industrial and an agricultural base.

Karnataka consists of twenty-nine districts.

Bagalkot district is located in the northern part of Karnataka sprawling over an area of 6,593 sq. km. It is renowned for its caves carved out of a single stone in the period of Immadi Pulakeshi-I. The town is dotted with some of the famous temples likeTemples of Pattadakal, Mahakuteshwara Temples in Mahakuta, and Upper Shivalaya Temple and Banashankari Temple in Badami.

Bangalore district is located in the south of the Deccan Plateau. Some of the major attractions of the district are Chamrajsagar Reservoir, Magadi, Cubbon Park, Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum, Vasanthapura and Bannerghatta National Park.

Bangalore Rural district includes the rural areas around the city of Bangalore. The soil and climate of the district favours the cultivation of ragi, rice, groundnut, sugarcane, castor, grapes, and mulberry. Some of the industries of the district are coir factories, beedi-rolling, and tile factories. Sericulture, and agro based industry plays a crucial role in building the economy of the district. Channapatna located here is famous for lacquerware.

Belgaum district is an important district of the state. INDAL (Indian Aluminium Company) aluminum factory is located here. Some of the divisions of the Indian Armed Forces, the regimental headquarters of the Maratha Light Infantry and the Commando School of the Indian Army are situated in Belgaum District. The district is dotted with numerous temples and masjids. Some of them are Safa masjid, Jamia masjid, the oldest Kapileshwar Temple, Yellamma Temple, Ananthashayana Temple, and Maruthi Temple.

Bellary district is located on the eastern side of Karnataka and has an agricultural base. The main crops grown here are cotton, jowar, groundnut, paddy, sunflower, and cereals. The district also has a substantial deposit of metallic and nonmetallic minerals. The important rivers flowing through the district are Tungabhadra and Hagari.

Bidar district is situated in the northeastern corner of Karnataka spread over an area of 5,448 sq. km. The district has several religious centers like the famous Guru Nanak Jhira, Narasimha Jhira Water Cave Temple, Papanaash Shiva Temple, and Veerbhadreshewar Jatra`s at Humnabad and Changlare.

Bijapur district is located in the northern part of Karnataka. The main crop grown here is jowar. It is famous for its Ilkal sarees and non-vegetarian cuisine. The major attractions of the district are Gol Gumbaz, Juma Masjid, Upali Buraz, Mehtar Mahal, Ara-killa, Anand Mahal, Gagan Mahal, Jahaz Mahal, and Bara Kaman.

Chamrajnagar district is situated in the southern part of Karnataka. The southern part of the district has a reserved national forest, which offers scintillating sight of wild animals. The other attractions of the district are Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Hills and the Shivasamudram falls on the Kaveri (Cauvery) River.

Chikkamagaluru district is located in the southwestern part of Karnataka. It is dominantly rural filled with scenic hill ranges, gushing rivers, sparkling streams and cascading waterfalls. The hills of Chikkamagaluru are the source of number of rivers. They are Bhadra, Tunga, Hemavati, Netravathi, and Vedavati. Kudremukh is an ideal trekking spot in the district. The major crop grown here is coffee.

Chitradurga district is surrounded with rocky hills, which houses many ancient temples some of which are Ekanathamma, Phalguneswara, Gopalakrishna, Anjaneya, Subbaraya and Siddeswara.

Dakshina Kannada district has its district headquarters in the city of Mangalore. It is a paradise for all nature lovers with its lush greenery, long beaches and racing rivers. The district is famous for it`s Yakshagana, a beautiful dance form; Kambala, the sport of buffalo racing by farmers; Korikatta, cockfight and Bootha Kola.

Davangere district is famous for its textile industry. Anagodu, Anaji, Hadali, Harihar and Mayakonda are places of tourist interest in the district.

Dharwad district is located in the northern part of the district and is well known for its pedas. Hubli is an important industrial city of the district. Some of the important industries located here are cotton and silk factories, railway workshops, and an important newspaper industry.

Gadag district is an agricultural district. It has a semi arid climate, which favours the growth of seasonal crops like maize, sorghum, greengram, groundnut, sunflower, onion, and chilli during kharif season, and cotton, rabi, jowar, Bengal gram, and wheat during the rabi season.

Gulbarga district is situated in the northeastern part of Karnataka. The Krishna and the Bhima are the main rivers traversing the district. An important religious destination on the banks of the Bhima is Jevargi. The major attractions of the district are Gulbarga Fort, Sharana Basveshwara Temple, and Sri Ram Mandir among the many.

Hassan district is an ideal religious destination as the temple towns of Belur, Halebid and Sravanabelagola is situated here. Some of the chief crops grown here are black pepper, potato, paddy, and sugarcane. Hassan is famous for its ragi balls.

Haveri district is situated in the southern part of Karnataka spread over an area of 4,851 sq. km. Haveri town is an important commercial and educational center of the district. The main festival of the district is Makar Sakranti or Pongal, which is celebrated with pomp and show in the village of Gangibavi.

One of the smallest districts of Karnataka is the Kodagu district, which is also known as the Coorg district with its headquarters in Madikeri, a hill station. It is surrounded with rocky hills such as the Tadiyandamol, Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri hills. The main crops cultivated here are coffee, pepper, honey, cardamom and oranges.

Kolar district is situated in the southern plains of Karnataka spread over an area of 3,180 sq. km. The mainstay of the economy is agriculture along with dairy and sericulture and hence it is called the land of `silk, milk and gold. The district headquarters is at Kolar, which is famous for its Gold mines.

Koppal district was formed after the split of Raichur district and is the best seed production center in the state. Places of interest in the district are Anegundi, Kanakagiri, Navabrindavana, and Kuknur.

Mandya district is situated in the southeastern part of Karnataka spread over an area of 4,850 sq. km. Pandavapura is an ancient village of this district, which is also an important religious center. Major attractions of this district are Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karighatta (a small hillock), Kuntibetta hill, Bluff Waterfalls, Tirumalasagara Lake, and Cauvery Waterfalls.

In the southern part of the Deccan Plateau is the Mysore district with its headquarters at Mysore. Mysore is famous for its silk, sandalwood and handicrafts. Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills, Mysore Zoo, Vrindavan Gardens, Rail Museum, Bandipur National Park, Jaganmohan Palace and Keshava Temple at Somnathpur are suitable tourist attractions.

Raichur district is located in the northwestern part of Karnataka. The Krishna and the Tungabhadra are two important rivers flowing through the district, which contribute to abundant agricultural produce and generate colossal growth in hydroelectric production.

Shimoga district is spread over an area 10,550 sq. km. filled with vast unending stretches of forests, green paddy fields, and captivating waterfalls. The forests are the rich sources of sandalwood, rosewood, teak and other timber products. Agriculture and animal husbandry are the main occupations of the people. The district is the largest producer of good quality paddy. The major industries in the district are agro industries, automobile and engineering industries. Cottage industries include manufacturing incense sticks and sandalwood carving. It is the home of the Gudigars, a clan of craftsmen who specialize in sandalwood carvings. Jog Falls, Vanake-Abbey Falls, Achakanya Falls, Hidlamane Falls are the major attractions of the district.

Tumkur district is located in the eastern part of Karnataka. The soil and the climate of the place favour the cultivation of crops such as millets, rice, pulses and oil seeds.

Udupi district was formed by joining three northern taluks of Dakshina Kannda district, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal. Barakuru, Hastashilpa, Karavali, Krishna Mutt, Malpe, and St Mary`s Island are the main tourist spots in the district.

Uttara Kannada district is spread over an area of 10,291 sq. km. and is dominantly rural. The district headquarters is located at Karwar. It is an ideal tourist destination and some of the major tourist destinations are the Devbagh Beach, Dandeli Wild life Sanctuary, Kurumgad Island, Unchalli Falls and Magod Falls.

Chikballapur district is a newly created district of Karnataka carved out of the Kollar district.

Ramanagaram district is also a newly created district carved out of the Bangalore rural district.